“How much stuff did you take with you when you moved out?” I asked Howie carrying what seemed to be the hundredth bag or box in.
“Well I didn't know how long I was going to be gone,” he paused, “besides Rhonda had a lot of my stuff sent to me,” he said looking down guiltily. I didn't bother to say that I would have done that too.
“Here's the last of it D,” AJ said carrying a big box through the door. “Where do you want it?”
“Just put it down where ever, I'll sort it all out later.” Howie stood there and looked around at all the boxes and bags. “Man I never realized I had this much stuff.”
“Hey everybody look who I found at daycare,” Nick said walking through the doors with Arrianna slung over his back tickling her. I laughed at the picture the two of them made.
“Thanks for picking her up,” I said as I went over to give her a hug and save her from being tickled anymore. She fell into my arms out of breath from laughing so hard.
“No problem, like I told you earlier I was going to be over that way anyways. There was no reason for you to drive over there.” Nick looked around at all the boxes lying in the middle of the room. “What's going on here?” he asked glancing at the three of us.
“I thought you knew,” I said astounded that no one had let Nick in on what was happening. “I thought Rhonda would have told you...”
“I'm moving back in,” Howie cut me off. “So I'm sorry to say that you'll be moving out.”
“What?” Nick asked surprised. “What do you mean?”
“You've been here forever and the twins aren't newborns anymore, besides I'm going to be here from now on so we won't need your services anymore.” Howie picked up a bag and started up the stairs. “I want you out before Rhonda gets home tonight.”
The three of us stood there in shock. I wondered if Rhonda was apart of this decision or if it were all Howie. Somehow I couldn't see Rhonda doing anything like this, but I thought it maybe for the best if Nick left. I would be hard enough for the two of them to start over without adding a third party to that.
“Need some help packing?” AJ asked.
“I…I guess I do,” Nick said blankly as he headed up the stairs to his room.
“Honey, why don't you go take squeaks home and get her fed, I'll be home later tonight,” AJ turned a kissed me on the cheek.
“Ok,” I said wondering if he would actually find his way home tonight. “I'll see you later.”
“I won't be late I promise.” I walked out of the house hoping he was going to keep that promise.

Rhonda's View

“Hey honey,” Howie said as I walked in the door.
“Hi.”
“Can I help you with something?”
“Well, you can either grab the kids or the groceries from the car. Take your pick, just make it fast!” Howie took the kids from my arms and headed into the living room. “I was hoping that you would have picked the groceries!!” I yelled as he walked away.

“Why did you buy so much stuff?” Howie asked as he snooped through the bags.
“I've been buying this much stuff.”
“Count Chocula?” he asked holding up the box.
“Yeah – Nick likes it,” I said taking it out of his hands and putting it away.
“Um, speaking of Nick...he...he decided to move out.”
“Nick moved out?” I asked trying not to sound as shocked and disappointed as I was.
“Yeah – um...he decided it would be best. This way he wouldn't be in the way as we worked things out.”
“Where did he go?”
“Why?” Howie shot back.
“Because...he's been getting mail here. I need to send it somewhere.”
“Oh, he went back to his house in Tampa. He said something about now that its been long enough since him and Missy ended that he could go back there and get on with his life.”
“Oh.”
“Besides, I think it's time that we all move on with our lives,” Howie said.